Roy Williams
March 31, 1923 ~ April 22, 2018
Roy Williams was born to Taylor and Eva Williams on March 31, 1923 in Powell (Corsicana), Texas. He proudly served in World II. He was a father (sons called him “Judge” and daughters called him “Daddy”) a grandfather (Big Daddy or Paw Paw), and for over 20 years through his self-owned business, Williams & Sons Excavation and Landscaping, he successfully provided these services to both local and other funeral homes within a 50 mile radius of San Antonio. This job opened many doors for him thanks to his relationship with Sutton & Sutton Funeral Home owners (G. J. and Lou Nelle Sutton) and F. E. Lewis Funeral Home (Vernon E. Larremore and Robert Washington) to provide the grave site opening and closing. His professionalism and relationships in the community earned him the name “Grave Digger” by many.
He left home at the age of 13 and moved to Aransas Pass, Texas to live with his sister, Ethel Mae Price (deceased). While in Aransas Pass, he worked various jobs and met his first bride, Norcel Brown (deceased). To this matrimony was born one daughter, Parthenia Jones, owner of Jones BBQ in San Antonio, TX. He leaves to mourn his daughter (Parthenia); two grandchildren, Christopher (deceased) and Elizabeth (Liz); three great grandchildren, Tiarra, Christopher II and Reggie; and one great, great, granddaughter, Kynslei.
In the late 1940’s, he moved to San Antonio, TX. He worked at what is now the SA Country Club, various other hotels and as a cab driver for the local company Checker where he met his second wife who was the company’s dispatcher, Ralstine Tennell (deceased) and they were wed November 10, 1949. He moved his family back to Aransas Pass where he worked at the Reynolds Factory and his wife as a Nurse Assistant to the local doctor. In the late 50’s, he purchased a home in San Antonio and returned here with his family and continued working at various hotels until he started his own business, Williams & Sons Excavation and Landscaping. To this matrimony was born four children, Oliver Wendell Williams (deceased); Ronnie Williams (deceased); Michael Lynn Williams, and Kathy Williams Henderson. He leaves five grandchildren: Royce Lynndell Evans, Larry DeWayne Williams, Kenneth Michael Hardeman, LaKeshia DyAnne Hardeman, and Sean LeMere Hammond; and seven great grandchildren: Oscar Roy/ Karina/ Naliana; Si’Ara/Sy’Nia; Trevon/Dereon.
Roy “Grave Digger” Williams transitioned home on April 22, 2018 and will be missed by a host of nieces (3 generations), nephews (3 generations), and friends. Those in the community that would drive/walk by and wave, he always waved back or spoke. Some would even sit on the front porch with him. The community will miss him but his spirit lives on at our family home – 1234 Iowa – forever!
Services
Interment: May 21, 2018 1:30 pm - August 26, 2025 2:34 pm
Fort Sam Houston National CemeteryView current weather.
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To the family my sympathy for your loss. As you try to comprehend this profound loss. Keep in mind that the true God in the heavens feels your pain. He knows your suffering and will help you cope with your grief. In the Bible at Job 10:1 we read , “I will speak out in my bitter distress”. Have faith in God’s promised written at Acts 24:15. This expresses the hope of seeing your dead loved ones again.